Parks staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission they will seek public input on the capital improvement plan (CIP) and park policies and will return recommendations in September.

Staff invited commissioners and residents to a public input session scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Homewood Golf Course Clubhouse. The session will review the current five‑year CIP, gather public ideas and allow staff to refine cost estimates with consultants. “We will bring all of that to you,” staff said, noting the city often refines priorities between years 1 and 5 when new needs arise.

Staff clarified the difference between park rules and ordinances: park rules are guidelines without an infraction process; ordinances carry enforceable penalties. Staff said they will present suggested park rules and indicate where an ordinance would be appropriate, and that enforcement would fall to the police if an ordinance is adopted.

Ontario Park was specifically mentioned as a CIP candidate. Staff said an RFP for design work is being finalized, public input sessions will be scheduled, and that the city must open the park by September 2026 under the terms of its Land and Water Conservation Fund grant unless the city requests an extension.

Staff outlined the CIP process timeline: public input in September, commission discussion on Sept. 18 and the following meetings, city manager review in December, presentation to city council in January and expected council adoption of the CIP in February. Staff noted local option sales tax is a common funding source for CIP items and said the finance department is already supplying budget assumptions.

No vote was taken. Staff said they will provide proposed park rules or ordinances and budget estimates at future meetings so the commission and council can prioritize projects, and they invited commissioners to attend the Sept. 10 public session and to collect neighborhood input beforehand.